This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)

Just listen to Representative Speier responding in opposition to the Pence Amendment. Makes you want to shout, "Go, Jackie, go!"



‎"... the American people at home are wondering, 'What does this have to do with getting me a job?' It doesn't. It has nothing to do with that at all. Last time I checked, abortion - whether you like it or not - is legal in this country. But then again, so is Haliburton. They're guilty of fraud, embezzlement and 10 other felonies. But are we up here trying to pass amendments making them illegal? No."

Thank you, Congresswoman Speier, for reminding us why Feminism is still relevant today and will be necessary to protect women's reproductive choices forevermore.

And in case anyone is wondering "Why is this even an issue? Isn't Roe v. Wade on the books already? Why isn't this dead on the Hill? Isn't freedom of choice here to stay?" A little info to answer and, I hope, to enlighten:

The central holding of Roe established that, before a fetus becomes viable, a woman's right to abort was considered "fundamental." After Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1993), however, women's rights to abortion via the viability standard were reclassified as "liberty interests." Which means that any statutes to restrict access to abortion can be upheld as constitutional under a slightly less rigorous standard called "Rational Basis" review. Casey held that states can require 24-hour waiting periods, parental consent forms, and can make access to abortion much more difficult and expensive -- so long as that access isn't cut off completely, and it's not considered an "undue burden" on the woman seeking one.

So, yeah. Nothing is here to stay. I agree that it would be difficult to reverse Roe in one fell swoop, but that's not what the Republicans are trying to do. The Pence Act need not reverse Roe v. Wade directly in order to take away women's rights to abortion. They can simply regulate it to death, little by little. Like ancient warriors used to say of their enemies, "Why fight something you hate when you can simply starve it to death?"

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Elizabeth Edwards

"The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered," she wrote. "We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful."

RIP, sweet lady.

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Susie the Dog

RALEIGH – Among the new state laws taking effect this week is one called Susie's Law. It creates stiffer penalties in animal cruelty cases.

Beginning Wednesday, it will be a felony to starve, torture, mutilate or disfigure an animal. Offenders could be sentenced to 8 months in prison.

The law is named after Susie, a Greensboro dog who was set on fire and left to die. She put her paw of approval on the bill in June when Gov. Bev Perdue signed it into law.

Lashawn Whitehead was convicted and sentenced to probation for hurting her.

Susie is now happy and healthy with her new adopted family.

Simply fyi: Rep. Nick Mackey, a Charlotte Democrat, attempted to water down the measure and voted against passage. An organization that has fought regulations on puppy breeders also spoke out against the bill.

“I’m asking you not to spend money on something that’s not needed,” said Henri McClees, speaking on behalf of the N.C. Sporting Dog Association. “North Carolina already has strong laws.”

So, for all you folks who live in Charlotte, if you ever get a chance to vote against Nick Mackey, go for it! And kudos to anyone who eggs Henri McClees' house. :)

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Norris Church Mailer

Sorry I've been a bit MIA lately, ya'll. I've been devastated by the loss of my good friend and proclaimed "surrogate mother," Norris. The last time I saw her, we ate tempura and sushi and talked about how much we had in common. She was an only child who grew up in the South. I was an only child who grew up in the South. She's been exposed to big cities and big celebrities and all the nonsense and hoopla that goes with both at a young age. Guess what? So had I. She loved powerfully; so have I. She worshipped the written word. So do I.

And now, the woman who got up in from of 950 people at a conference we were both invited to this past summer in Indianapolis and called me her "would-be daughter," who wanted me to meet her son, John Buffalo, because I "would love him and want to marry him," who told me all the secrets and stories she'd left out of her memoir about Norman, "A Ticket to the Circus"... is gone. She's gone and I'll never see her high-cheekboned, beautiful face again.

The least I can do is make her an official Celeb Rebel Debutante and pray with all my heart that wherever you are, Norris, you've got all the happiness life owed you. I love you and always will. You are remembered, sweet lady. With or without the circus surrounding you.

xoxo,
Rebel Deb



NEW YORK (AP) — She was half the age of Norman Mailer when they met and their bond was as fast and fateful as a mortal's coupling with a god.

Norris Church Mailer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's sixth and final wife, would enjoy and endure the ride of her life.

An actress, Wilhemina model, author and painter, Mailer died at her home in Brooklyn on Sunday. She was 61. Her passing was announced on the website of the Norman Mailer Society, which in a statement said she passed away "after a long and valiant struggle with cancer." A longtime family friend and assistant, Dwayne Raymond, said he and her two children and some close friends were at her home when she died.

As Norris Mailer wrote in her 2010 memoir, "A Ticket to the Circus," she was a single mother in her mid-20s when she met the then-52-year-old Norman Mailer at a 1975 cocktail party in his honor in Russellville, Ark. Their attraction was immediate, even if he was breaking up with his fourth wife and seeing the woman who would become his fifth. Norris Church became No. 6 in 1980. A son, John Buffalo, had been born two years earlier.

The new Mrs. Mailer discovered the consequences of fame. The macho Norman Mailer was charming, callous, wise and infuriating. Through her husband, Norris met Jacqueline Kennedy and Imelda Marcos, Woody Allen and Fidel Castro. Norman Mailer could talk about anything; she likened their banter to the rapport between Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. A sign of destiny: The Mailers both were born on Jan. 31.

But even as the author publicly rhapsodized over her auburn-haired beauty, he discouraged his wife's work, avoided her when he learned she had cancer and had affairs with several women, some of whom were referenced in his books and even showed up at social functions, at his invitation.

The tension became public by the early 1990s through gossip columns and in an ABC television interview when she told newsman Sam Donaldson that "one day Norman is a lion, the next day he's a monkey. Occasionally he's a lamb, and a large part of the time he's a jackass."

They drifted. She threatened to leave. He resisted. She stayed.

"I knew I was going to be with him for the rest of my life, and I think he felt the same way," she wrote. When the author died, in 2007, she was at his side and remembered his final moments: "His mouth spread in a huge smile, and his eyes were alive with excitement, as if he were seeing something amazing. Then he was gone."

A road worker's daughter raised in Little Rock and Atkins, Ark., she was born Barbara Jean Davis (a name not unlike Norma Jean Baker, the real name of Marilyn Monroe, subject of the only Norman Mailer book she had read when they met), and by age 3 had won a contest as Miss Little Rock. Popular in high school ("I was at the center of everything"), she attended Arkansas Polytechnic College and dated a childhood acquaintance, Larry Norris.

They married in 1969, and had a son, Matthew, two years later. But, as she recalled, they were too different — he preferring solitude, she preferring company. They divorced in 1974. As she began a modeling career, she changed her name to Norris Church, the last name suggested by Mailer because she attended church often as a child.

Tall and long-legged, the newly single Church enjoyed "a string of boyfriends," including Bill Clinton, then a candidate for Congress. He had a well-stocked staff of female admirers, she wrote, but clearly favored a plainly dressed blonde named Hillary Rodham who "had an intelligence none of the prettier girls in the room had."

"I would have so liked to be able to talk to him about world affairs and politics, or art or literature, or anything, frankly," Mailer wrote. "But we frankly never talked much."

Norris Mailer never considered herself in Norman Mailer's class as an author, but she did have a broad interest in the arts. Her paintings were featured in several one-woman shows. She was a member of the Actors Studio, appeared in the television adaptation of Mailer's classic "The Executioner's Song" and had a brief part, with her husband, in the film version of "Ragtime." She also wrote two novels, "Windchill Summer" and "Cheap Diamonds."

"I'd had a career. Family. I once had ambitions and dreams that had nothing to do with Norman Mailer," she wrote. "Norman changed my life and the ripples from that first meeting in Arkansas have spread through many others. I wouldn't trade with anybody in the world. And who knows what he's doing on the other side? I'm curious to catch up with him and find out."

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Jimmy "The Rent is Too Damn High!" McMillian

Crazy "Rent Is Too Damn High" Candidate Steals the Show at NY Gov. Debate
by Matt Cherette

We told you that tonight's New York gubernatorial debate—with seven participants!—would be crazy, but we could have never anticipated this level of it: watch as Jimmy McMillan, of the "Rent Is Too Damn High" party, uh... introduces himself.

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Tony Curtis

"At 17, I dreamed of seeing the world. At 19, I had been around the world and back."

- Tony Curtis

RIP, Spartacus.

xoxo,

Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: BioDiesel Guy

... for reminding us all that investing in cleaner, 21st-century energies instead of clinging to destructive 20th-century greed will help us to:

1) End our reliance upon foreign oil, and with it our

2) Collective funding of potential terrorist/extremist groups; thereby,

3) Reducing the proportion of our tax dollars reserved for federal acts of wars, and -- oh YEAH! I almost forgot...

4) Save our planet from certain destruction and ALL OF US -- Democrats and Republicans -- from DEATH.

Because, really, who cares about keeping party lines when we have no fresh water left to drink and no clean air left to breathe? Apparently no one. At least, no one in Congress or any commentators on FOX news.

And now back to what Americans really care about: Lindsey Lohan's obvious alcoholism...

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Marilyn Monroe

Random, I know... but timeless, don't you think? Move over, diamonds! Rebutantes are a girl's NEW best friend(s). :)

xoxo,

Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Rue Macclanahan

A classy, sexy, outspoken Rebel Deb then...


And now...


xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Cynthia Brian

According the Net:

Cynthia Brian, "The Oprah of the Airwaves", hosts a show produced by Starstyle® Productions for Be the Star You Are! charity, which focus is on providing authors and experts an arena to empower audiences. This upbeat radio show speaks about preparing to star in your own life while igniting the flame that is already inside you..."

Cynthia's a big fan of authors and celebs who promote courage, self-confidence, self-awareness and literacy. In fact, during my recent interview with StarStyle Radio, that's pretty much all we talked about! How to believe in, trust and support yourself in becoming the gutsy, glamourous Rebel Debutante that you are. And that make *her* a true Celeb Rebel Deb in my book.

So go out and be the stars you are, ladies!

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Anna Paquin

Though her Southern dialect on True Blood could use some... err... serious work... Anna Paquin still rocks my world. Especially lately. And why? Check out her recent PSA...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: True Blood Star Reveals True Self -- Anna Paquin Says She's Bisexual | RadarOnline.com

You have major balls, Anna. And we Rebel Debs salute both of them!

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Lassie!

Hells yes, Lassie is a girl! And though she has an IQ of 14 and only four, non-opposable digits on her massive paws, she still manages to flip a huge bird to gender stereotypes. What's that, Timmy? Only men can be rescuers on circa 1960 television dramas, did you say? Yeah, well. Looks like somebody'll be leaving you locked up for a little while longer...

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Sandra Bullock

OH, yes, Sandra B. Whether you're winning Oscars or kicking your lyin', cheatin' hubby out on his douche-bag dumper... you're always rocking our world. You're a Southern girl (who graduated from my Momma's alma mater, ECU!), a kick-ass, down-to-earth celeb, and we Rebel Debs salute you.

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Daisy (of Love) De La Hoya

I don't know why. I just love anybody who reminds me of a Muppet. Oh, and did you hear she was dating the late Corey Haim up until he died? Those muppets are trouble, I tell ya! Trouble!

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

Happy International Women's Day!

From then...



To now...



What a way to celebrate, huh? Way to go, Kathryn. You make us proud.

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Ellen!

We salute you, Ellen Degeneres, for braving your first few months as the new sailor on the sinking ship that is "American Idol." This season of AI has gone straight into the toilet. On the bright side, you're here to make us all smile through our Titanic-esque tears. In fact, as a hard-working, ground-breaking celeb Rebel Deb, I consider you to be the best thing to come aboard that show since, well... the last thing that left:



xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Jenny Sanford

Ya'll already know the story about Jenny and Mark Sanford... according to the 'NET:

"First South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was born. Later, he pretended to be hiking the Appalachian Trail when in fact schtupping the Argentinian woman. Then his wife wrote a disparaging book. Now their divorce proceedings will be on TV."

I know, I know... sounds like the usual Reality TV, fame-hogging crap. But I, for one, support Jenny Sanford in moving on from Mark's behavior. So she wants to write a book -- who wouldn't want such an opportunity to turn her personal tragedy into triumph? Jenny's still a celeb Rebel Deb based on her past work as a Wall Streeter (in the 80's, no less, when that particular Street was nearly female-free!) and her refusal to stand by her lyin', cheatin' man.

Check out Marie Claire's recent interview with the former SC Governor-ess and decide for yourself.

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Ivanka Trump

From a chipmunk-cheeked teen with a typical "I wanna be a SUPERMODEL, daddy!!" dream (haven't we all had this at one time? C'mon, admit it!)... to a (while admittedly still very chipmunk-cheeked) young lady with a degree from Wharton (wonder if her Daddy helped her with that one, too?) under her belt and a business-savvy mind... Ivanka Trump, like her brilliant mother before her, captures the essence of a well-rounded, go-getter Rebel Deb. And we salute her. :)

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Mia Hamm

From Soccer-Rocker...



To Super-Mommy...


This U.S. Olympic soccer player went to UNC Chapel Hill and lead our nation's team to victory in THREE CONSECUTIVE Olympics. Once touted as "The Michael Jordan of Soccer," during the height of her career, Mia was considered one of the most talented women in sports... and the epitome of a Rebel Debutante. Today, she balances a quiet home life with a stellar career in sports promotion. Overall, she earns this Rebel Deb's utmost respect. Here's to you, Mia! You've shown us, once again, that women can succeed both within and without the home.

xoxo,
Rebel Deb

This Week's Celeb Rebel Deb: Katie "Cougar" Couric

Normally, I'm not a big fan of Katie's... especially after her *uber* rude behavior towards Michael Moore during the premier of his healthcare documentary, "Sickos." After blasting him apart, Michael graciously (and without a touch of sarcasm) asked her to coffee with him to further discuss their opinions about the pros and cons of HMO's... and instead of smiling and either 1) taking the joke, or 2) politely refusing, she instead decided to say something along the lines of "um... yeah. No thanks!" followed by a smirk and a chuckle. Wtf, Katie? Where is your "journalistic integrity?" Get the whole story here.

Anywho...

Now good ole Katie's been labeled a "Cougar" (a term I find totally sexist -- I mean, hello? When Jack Nicholson, who's old enough to be my grandfather, dates a 25-year-old, people think he's "cool." But Katie and Demi do it, and they're suddenly comparable to carnivorous animals? Double-standard, much?). Needless to say, she's fighting her title. Check it out:

"I just find it stupid, you know?" the CBS Evening News anchor, 53, says in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar when asked about the label... and her 33-year-old boyfriend. "I think it also surmises that the older woman is always the pursuer. That's not necessarily true. I always say that maybe the older woman is the prey and someone else is the predator. It's just silly."

Right on, Katie-cakes. The Rebel Debs of the world salute and (until you pull some more unprofessional bullsh*t) embrace you!

xoxo,
Rebel Deb